Shippers’ Council Meet Truckers’ Union, To End Extortion, Container Detention

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has expressed readiness to end extortion, container detention and other challenges affecting truck owners’ operations in the nation’s maritime sector.

This was disclosed by the executive secretary, Dr Pius Akutah, when he paid a working visit to the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and address key challenges affecting inland cargo transportation.

Dr Akutah, who was represented by the director, Inland Transport Services, Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, said the visit was aimed at identifying and finding solutions to the issues facing cargo movement within and around port corridors.

The Shippers’ Council boss assured AMATO of the Council’s commitment to improving port efficiency.

He reaffirmed the NSC’s continued engagement with stakeholders to address operational gaps and strengthen inland transport systems.

“Currently, the Council has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to conduct awareness campaigns focused on promoting safety among truck drivers. Also, a stakeholder sensitisation workshop would soon be convened to collectively address industry-wide challenges and propose sustainable solutions,” Dr Akutah stated.

Speaking earlier, the president,  AMATO,  Chief Remi Ogungbemi, said major challenges of the truck owners are the lack of modern truck marshalling yards, persistent port congestion, human interference, extortion, insecurity, unstable haulage rates due to poor infrastructure, and the problem of excessive checkpoints.

Ogungbemi who also highlighted challenges with container detention and its adverse impact on operations, however, proposed a 4,000-truck capacity site to solve congestion challenges.

He further commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for its consistent support and dedicated efforts to restore order and efficiency across the port logistics chain.

The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both parties to deepen cooperation and find practical solutions for improving Nigeria’s maritime transport and cargo delivery system.